Caufield Lifts Canadiens Over Wild With Last-Second Goal
The Montreal Canadiens finally put an end to their long-standing struggle against the Minnesota Wild, capturing a dramatic 4-3 victory at the Bell Centre on January 20, 2026. For a team that hadn’t beaten the Wild since 2019—a stretch of nine straight losses—this win was more than just another two points in the standings. It was a statement of growth and resilience, punctuated by Cole Caufield’s electrifying game-winning goal with just 15 seconds left on the clock.
Entering the contest, the Canadiens were rested and eager to turn the tide. With three days off between games—a rare luxury in this condensed NHL season—Montreal had a chance to regroup and welcome back Kirby Dach to the lineup. However, the night was not without its setbacks, as Alexandre Texier was sidelined due to injury. The Wild, meanwhile, were wrapping up a grueling stretch: their third road game in four nights, and it showed in their early play.
Right from the opening puck drop, the Canadiens came out flying. The first period might have been their best of the season, as they dominated possession and outshot Minnesota by a staggering 15-2 margin. Montreal’s relentless pressure paid off when Phillip Danault, who hadn’t found the back of the net all season, finally broke through. Kaiden Guhle unleashed a shot from the point, and Danault perfectly timed his approach to bury the rebound. Danault’s celebration said it all—relief and joy after a long drought.
The Canadiens weren’t done yet. Alexandre Carrier, who’s been on a surprising goal-scoring tear, notched his fourth tally in five games by deftly deflecting a Mike Matheson point shot. Ivan Demidov, Montreal’s standout in the opening frame, picked up an assist and continued to show flashes of stardom. Demidov seemed to toy with the Wild defense, circling the offensive zone and creating chances at will. “He’s simply discovering what he can do, and he can do a lot,” observed Montreal-based sports writer Brian Wilde.
But Minnesota, despite their sluggish start, refused to roll over. The Wild capitalized on their first power play opportunity, needing just 15 seconds of man advantage for Vladimir Tarasenko to open the scoring. Tarasenko’s goal marked his fourth in three games, and it was the 32nd time this season that Minnesota had struck first—tied with Washington for the league lead.
After Danault’s equalizer and Carrier’s go-ahead marker, the Canadiens ended the first period with a 2-1 lead. Minnesota head coach John Hynes acknowledged the early onslaught: “They came out hot and ready, and we weathered the storm of it. We got some good goaltending early, but then I feel like our guys really dug in, and simplified the game, and, you know, got ourselves back competitively into the game, and that’s what you need to do.”
The Wild found their legs in the second period. Brock Faber, who’s quickly emerged as a key figure on the blue line, tied the game with a long-range shot that snuck through a screen. Yet, Montreal responded almost immediately. Lane Hutson, the sophomore defenseman who’s been nothing short of sensational, fired home his ninth goal of the season to reclaim the lead for the Canadiens. Hutson’s offensive prowess has been a revelation; after a record-breaking Calder-winning rookie year with 66 points, he’s already at 51 points in his second campaign, maintaining a point-per-game pace.
Ivan Demidov continued to impress, notching his second point of the night on Hutson’s goal. The chemistry between Montreal’s young stars—Demidov, Hutson, Caufield, and others—has injected a new level of excitement into the franchise. “GM Kent Hughes hasn’t just built a talented team; he’s built a team with some of the most exciting players in hockey,” Wilde noted, likening the current roster to a collection of Alex Kovalevs, with creative talent on nearly every shift.
The third period was a rollercoaster. The Wild, desperate to salvage their road trip, pressed hard and earned a crucial 5-on-3 power play midway through the frame. Tarasenko, ever the opportunist, squeezed a shot from the goal line past Montreal’s Jakub Dobes to tie the game at 3-3. Dobes, making 16 saves in the win, held firm as Minnesota surged late.
With the clock ticking down, both teams looked poised to head to overtime. But the Canadiens had other ideas. After sustained pressure in the Wild’s zone, the puck found its way to Cole Caufield at the top of the right faceoff circle. With 15 seconds remaining, Caufield unleashed a blistering one-timer that beat rookie netminder Jesper Wallstedt—his 25th goal of the season, and an NHL-leading seventh game-winner. “He’s the most dangerous player on the ice, and I gotta close harder there,” admitted Faber, who’s faced Caufield both as a teammate and opponent in previous international play. “That’s what he does. He scores big goals.”
For the Wild, the loss stung, but they could take solace in their resilience. Wallstedt turned aside 29 shots, and Tarasenko’s two-goal effort kept Minnesota in the fight. “Wally played great. Kept us in it all night,” said Faber. “They got a fast hockey team. Every single guy can skate and move. It’s hard to win here in this building.”
Beyond the box score, the game featured several important storylines. Minnesota was missing key defenseman Jonas Brodin, who’s been shut down with a lower-body injury and will miss the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. Wild coach John Hynes, set to serve as an assistant for Team USA in Milan Cortina, confirmed the news. Meanwhile, Montreal’s blue line depth continues to be a talking point, with prospects like Bryce Pickford—currently leading the Western Hockey League in goals by a defenseman—waiting in the wings.
For the Canadiens, this win was more than just breaking a losing streak against the Wild. It was a showcase of their emerging core, their ability to learn from past mistakes, and their knack for delivering in the clutch. “The improvement is coming in some of the areas that have plagued them. No goats on a night when they finally solve the Wild,” Wilde observed.
As the Canadiens look ahead, fans can’t help but feel a jolt of optimism. With young stars stepping up and the team learning how to close out tight games, the future in Montreal suddenly looks a lot brighter. And after years of frustration against Minnesota, this victory tasted especially sweet.
